Role Of The Tissue Kallikrein-kinin System In Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation And Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,779.00
Summary
Up to 5% of people over 60 years develop weakening of their aorta leading to slow dilation of the vessel, which may burst resulting in sudden death. The only treatment is surgery, which has complications and is unsuitable for some patients. Drugs which slow the disease would be invaluable. We have identified a role for kinins in aneurysms. We will investigate how these molecules contribute to aortic disease and if blocking them can be used as a basis for medical treatment of artery weakening.
In Vivo Evaluation Of The Safety And Efficacy Of A Novel Chitosan Gel In The Reduction Of Adhesions Following Abdominal Surgery In Both Animal And Human Models
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$532,076.00
Summary
Up to 95% of abdominal surgery patients will develop adhesions within the abdomen, with nearly 1 in 5 requiring hospital readmission for pain, reduced gastrointestinal function and bowel obstruction. Newly developed Chitodex gel has been shown to be effective in the control of bleeding and the reduction of adhesions following sinus surgery. These projects will now explore its use in abdominal surgery. Chitodex gel has the potential to benefit millions of patients each year and drastically lessen ....Up to 95% of abdominal surgery patients will develop adhesions within the abdomen, with nearly 1 in 5 requiring hospital readmission for pain, reduced gastrointestinal function and bowel obstruction. Newly developed Chitodex gel has been shown to be effective in the control of bleeding and the reduction of adhesions following sinus surgery. These projects will now explore its use in abdominal surgery. Chitodex gel has the potential to benefit millions of patients each year and drastically lessen the burden on our health system.Read moreRead less
Association Between Obesity, TGFb, Thrombospondin And Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$514,777.00
Summary
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an important cause of mortality in middle aged and elderly Australians. The incidence of AAA continues to increase despite improvements in the medical management of atherosclerosis. We postulate that obesity is important in the progression of AAA. In a community screening study we found that waist-hip ratio was independently associated with AAA. In this project we investigate the mechanisms underlying this association between obesity and AAA.
Outcomes Of The Arterial Switch Operation: A Multi-centre Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,733.00
Summary
The arterial switch operation is the surgery of choice for children born with transposition of the great arteries, a congenital heart defect where the main two vessels of the heart arise from wrong pumping chambers of the heart. There are very few studies looking at adults after this operation. We aim to study all patients who have had an arterial switch. The results of this study will further increase our knowledge of the long term consequences of having the arterial switch operation.
Interaction Of Angiotensin II And PPARg In Aortic Aneurysm Formation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$427,398.00
Summary
Between 5% to 10% of men and 1% of women over the age of 60 years develop weakening of their main abdominal artery leading to slow dilation of the vessel. If this process continues long term the artery can burst resulting in sudden death. At present the only treatment available for this problem is surgery, either open or minimally invasive. Both these forms of treatment are associated with significant complications and unsuitable for some patients. Thus the development of a drug treatment which ....Between 5% to 10% of men and 1% of women over the age of 60 years develop weakening of their main abdominal artery leading to slow dilation of the vessel. If this process continues long term the artery can burst resulting in sudden death. At present the only treatment available for this problem is surgery, either open or minimally invasive. Both these forms of treatment are associated with significant complications and unsuitable for some patients. Thus the development of a drug treatment which can slow or halt the weakening and dilation of the aorta would have great patient benefits. We have identified an important role for a newly discovered protein in weakening of the abdominal aorta. In this study we investigate the role of a pathway which appears to be fundamental in generating this protein. In particular we will assess the role of drug treatment in blocking this pathway as a basis for medical treatment for artery weakening.Read moreRead less
Randomised Controlled Trials Of Laparoscopic Techniques For Antireflux Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,031,381.00
Summary
Gastro-oesophageal reflux is common, with approximately 10% of Australians now using medication to control symptoms. Many Australians will need this medication for life, unless they undergo surgery. The cost of treating reflux is growing. Since 1992 the annual growth rate of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme expenditure on reflux medication has been 13%, and the annual cost for the treatment of reflux now exceeds $1 billion. Not all patients with reflux are satisfied with medication, as some co ....Gastro-oesophageal reflux is common, with approximately 10% of Australians now using medication to control symptoms. Many Australians will need this medication for life, unless they undergo surgery. The cost of treating reflux is growing. Since 1992 the annual growth rate of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme expenditure on reflux medication has been 13%, and the annual cost for the treatment of reflux now exceeds $1 billion. Not all patients with reflux are satisfied with medication, as some continue to experience symptoms. Surgery is the only treatment which will cure reflux. It has a clear role in the treatment of patients with ongoing symptoms, those who don t want to take tablets, and patients with a large hiatus hernia in whom symptoms occur due to the relocation of the stomach from the abdomen into the chest. Approximately 5,000 Australians per year undergo surgery for reflux. The standard operation achieves a good outcome in approximately 90%, although some patients are troubled by side effects. To reduce the risk of this, the original procedure has been modified. However, the evidence supporting modifications has until recently been limited. The best way to compare different operations is in randomised trials. The majority of the largest and best trials addressing this area have been undertaken in Adelaide. We have already entered 504 patients into 5 randomised trials, 4 conducted entirely in Adelaide, and one across multiple sites with the cooperation of 15 Australasian surgeons. These trials have provided a more reliable evidence base for surgeons undertaking surgery for reflux. However, long term follow-up is required to ensure that conclusions drawn are valid at late follow-up. In addition we are establishing 2 new randomised trials, which will determine how best to perform surgery for reflux, and how best to repair a large hiatus hernia. These studies will be undertaken in collaboration with more than 25 other surgeons throughout Australia.Read moreRead less
Role Of Osteoprotegerin In Protecting The Diabetic Aorta From Aneurysm Formation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,250.00
Summary
Between 5% and 10% of men over the age of 60 years develop weakening of their main abdominal artery (aorta) leading to slow dilation of the vessel. If this process continues long term the artery can burst resulting in sudden death. At present the only treatment available for this problem is surgery, either open or minimally invasive. Both these forms of treatment are associated with significant complications and unsuitable for some patients. Thus the development of a drug treatment which can slo ....Between 5% and 10% of men over the age of 60 years develop weakening of their main abdominal artery (aorta) leading to slow dilation of the vessel. If this process continues long term the artery can burst resulting in sudden death. At present the only treatment available for this problem is surgery, either open or minimally invasive. Both these forms of treatment are associated with significant complications and unsuitable for some patients. Thus the development of a drug treatment which can slow or halt the weakening and dilation of the aorta would have great patient benefits'. Surprisingly patients with sugar diabetes are less likely to develop this form of artery weakening. This important negative association may form the basis of discovering a new medication to protect arteries from rupture. In this study we investigate the role of a recently discovered protein in protecting the main abdominal artery from weakening in diabetics. This protein is of particular interest for the following reasons: 1. It comes from a group of proteins believed to be important in artery calcium build-up. 2. Artery calcium is common in patients with diabetes who are relatively protected from aortic weakening. 3. It is being used for the treatment of bone weakening, appears to be safe in patients and therefore is a potential therapeutic agent. We believe this work is an important step towards the development of a successful medical treatment for artery weakening.Read moreRead less